Folk Alliance International has announced the Official Showcase artists for its 39th annual conference, set for Jan. 27-31, 2027, in Chicago.
The roster includes more than 140 artists from 31 countries, 32 U.S. states, and seven Canadian provinces. FAI expects the final total to exceed 160 artists. The 2027 conference will center on the theme “Hands In Solidarity.”
Artists on the initial showcase roster include singer-songwriter Alela Diane; Oh Boy Records artist Emily Scott Robinson; Tuvan throat-singing group Alash; Grammy-nominated American Patchwork Quartet; singer-songwriter Erin McKeown; Latvian group Tautumeitas; four-time Juno Award nominee Julian Taylor; and Latin Grammy-nominated band Making Movies.
The lineup also features Atlanta blues guitarist Buddy Red; Georgian polyphonic vocal group Trio Mandili; singer-songwriter and drag performer Flamy Grant, winner of the 2023 Kerrville New Folk Competition; Raye Zaragoza; Korean American blues artist Nat Myers; and Chicago’s Sones de México Ensemble.
Additional performers include International Folk Music Award winner Susan Werner; Colombian salsa sextet Las Guaracheras; Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices; Emmy Award-winning poet and singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer; Japanese taiko ensemble Nagata Shachu; Amy Speace; Cyrena Wages; Yemeni-rooted group El Khat; Sammy Brue; and Texas guitarist Mathias Lattin, a Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge Best Guitarist winner.
Several artists arrive with established festival, award, and touring credentials. McKeown has appeared at Bonnaroo, Glastonbury and the Newport Folk Festival. Tautumeitas represented Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest and has well over 15 million Spotify streams. Trio Mandili has generated beyond 1 billion views on social media. Nat Myers’ album Yellow Peril was produced by Dan Auerbach. Sones de México Ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Getty Museum.
FAI said “Hands In Solidarity” will focus on music communities as sources of support, participation, and collective action. Chicago’s history of migration, labor organization and cultural exchange will serve as part of the conference context.
The annual event brings folk artists and music industry professionals together for five days of showcases, panels, workshops, presentations, summits and professional networking. Participants include artists, venues, labels, DJs, agents, media organizations, and other industry representatives.
Official Showcases place jury-selected artists before venue bookers, agents, labels, DJs, and media professionals. Private showcases provide additional performance opportunities in hotel rooms and other small spaces during late-night conference hours.
FAI uses a broad definition of folk music and presents traditions and styles such as Appalachian music, Americana, blues, bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, global roots, old-time music, singer-songwriter work, spoken word, traditional music, zydeco and hybrid forms.
The organization has not yet announced the 2027 keynote speaker.
Founded in 1989, Folk Alliance International is a membership organization for the folk music industry and community. Its work includes education, advocacy, performance programs, and professional development for artists, presenters, and cultural workers.
Complete list of Official Showcase Artists
Adriano Sangineto, Alash, Alela Diane, Alexis Jade and the Gemstones, Alice Hasen & the Blaze, Alicia Kayley, Amber Rae Dunn featuring Mulberry Jam and special guest Anna Sharpe, Amelia Day, American Patchwork Quartet, Ammoye, Amy Speace, Ana Everling, Andy Rubal, Ani Mari, Anne Heaton Trio, Anthony da Costa, Ashley E. Norton, Avery R. Young & De Deacon Board, Bandits on the Run, Beauxmont, Bobby Alu, Braden Lam, BRÍDÍN, Buddy Red, Caamaño & Ameixeiras, Carrie Newcomer, Celeigh Cardinal, Crow and Gazelle, CRYS + The Fever Dreams, Cyrena Wages, Cécilia, Damir Imamović, Dead Goat, Debutants, Disterbenz, Divka, Doctor Nativo, Don Ross and Julie Malía, Dorsten, Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay, El Khat, Eliza Marshal, Emily Scott Robinson, Erin Mckeown, Ernest Aines, É.T.É, Farayi, Felicity Dowd, Flamy Grant, Floyd Mercantile, Fugu Dugu, Gabrielle Hope, Georgia Ruth, GoldenOak, Goldpine, Good Morning Bedlam, Great Aunt, Henry Wagons, High Horse, Hip Horns Brass Collective, How I Became A Wave, Humbletown, Imogen Clark, Jacques Surette, Jared Rabin, Javier Jara, Jenna Nicholls, Jimbo Scott, Jonavo, Julian Taylor, Julián Pujols Quall and Mamey, Junior Brother, Kate Prendergast, Keenya Creates, Keith Secola, Kelly Hunt, Ken Whiteley, Kim Yang, LaOx, Las Guaracheras, Le Diable à Cinq, Lennie Gallant, Louie Lou Louis, Lucy Clearwater, Making Movies, Mama Said String Band, Manuela Sánchez Goubert, Mathias Lattin, May Erlewine with Packy Lundholm, Michela Musolino with Rosa Tatuata, Mira Lazuli, Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices, MoonShroom, Morganway, Mzaza, Nagata Shachu Japanese Taiko and Music Group, Nat Myers, Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder, Noah Guthrie, Oakland Rain, On The Lash, On the Trail, Paula Boggs Band, Paula Fong, Polky, Polly Paulusma, Radio Free Honduras, Raye Zaragoza, Reg Meuross, Robin Barnes, Roisin Gowen, Rosalba Valdez, Ruth Theodore, RÜNO, Sam Robbins, Sam Shackleton, Sammy Brue, Saraswathi Ranganathan, Sariyah Idan, Shakura S’Aida, Shane Alexander, Sihasin, Sones de México Ensemble, Sophie Lukacs, South for Winter, Susan Werner, Tafa Mi Soleil, Tall Poppy String Band, Tautumeitas, The Clements Brothers, The Glass Hours, The Honey Badgers, The Lubben Brothers, The Pairs, The Pegwells, The Rebel Eves, The Sullivan Sisters, The Texpats, Timbreroots, Trio Mandili, Tuvergen Band, TÁR, Vance Gilbert, Vincent Schmidt, Whorled, Will Varley, Zoë Aqua.
More information at https://www.folk.org
Author: World Music Central News Room
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